An organisation advocating for local sports groups has asked Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) to bring forward funding for sports fields on Ballantyne Road.

Three years ago QLDC signalled that 20-or-so hectares of public land at 101 Ballantyne Road would become a multi-use green space which could accommodate a range of sports.

However, under the draft LTP there is no funding for the project until the 2029/2030 financial year.

That funding would go towards remediation works at the site (former oxidation ponds) and more funding to develop the sports hub would come in the three years following.

Sport Otago says local sports groups cannot wait that long.

The 20-hectare site off Ballantyne Road earmarked for a sports hub.

“It is imperative that finances be made available now for this work to commence as soon as possible,” Sport Otago said in its submission on the draft LTP.

Local groups have been calling for more sports fields to address field shortages in Wānaka for some time - particularly for football, rugby, cricket, and hockey.

Last year QLDC sport and recreation manager Simmon Battrick said a shortage of sports fields was “one of our biggest issues…particularly in the Upper Clutha.”

In its submission Sport Otago said new fields at the Ballantyne Road site should be “quality sand fields” so they can handle high usage given the “high demand”.

“The lack of ancillary facilities…must also be addressed. Changing rooms, referee and medical rooms, and toilet facilities are important to a functioning sports community.” 

The draft LTP features a significantly scaled-back capital expenditure programme because of a high rates increase proposal (an average 15.6 percent rates increase), the result of high inflation and interest rates, government compliance costs and other things outside the control of the council, QLDC says.

Despite this, the council has presented an option to bring forward investment in community and sporting facilities that included some new sports fields for Wānaka (as well as potential sports fields at 516 Ladies Mile, near Queenstown, and clean energy upgrades at aquatic facilities) which could change the balance.

Submissions on the draft LTP closed on July 28 and the council is now considering the more than 900 submissions it received, a QLDC spokesperson told the Wānaka App.

“These covered a huge range of topics including Wānaka sports fields in general and the Ballantyne Road site in particular.”

The final LTP - including the council’s decision on Wānaka sports fields funding allocations - will be made public after it is presented to councillors for adoption on September 19.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App